"But even if it is for a short spell of six months, I would consider it. After all, it's taking another step out of Singapore.

"It's the same like the Melbourne City (move). I had to decide in a short period of time. I had only a few weeks, followed by a trial. This time, I don't need to go for a trial.

"But I really don't know yet."

Yokohama are currently sixth in the 18-team J.League, which has just begun its second stage of 17 games.

If they finish top of the second stage, or among the other top three clubs in the "aggregate" table, Yokohama will qualify for the championship stage.

Safuwan, who is contracted to the LionsXII, a Football Association of Singapore (FAS) developmental team participating in the Malaysian Super League, made history in January when he became the first Singaporean to sign for a professional club in Australia, joining Melbourne City on a three-month loan.

He made six appearances and scored two A-League goals to help the club claim a top-six finish and a spot in the A-League play-offs.

But a back injury put City off from extending his deal, and he returned to Singapore to feature in Fandi Ahmad's LionsXII team.

"This is news to me... I'm not aware of this," said Fandi, who declined to comment further.

TNP understands that the FAS is tapping on the same contacts who helped secure a City trial for Safuwan, to set up this possible move to Yokohama.

This is possibly because City Football Group, the holding company of English giants Manchester City which have a controlling stake in Melbourne City, also own a minority share in the J.League club.

Formed in 1972, Yokohama are one of Japan's most successful clubs, with five J.League titles and seven runner-up finishes.

Their most recent piece of silverware was the 2013 Emperor's Cup (the biggest Cup competition in Japan) and therefore qualified for the following season of the Asian Champions League - Asia's top club football competition.

They are coached by former Paris Saint-Germain coach Erik Mombaerts, and captained by Japan's star midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura.